Abstract: Described is a compact focal plane shutter system adapted for large-format exposure shutters. The focal plane shutter includes at least one multi-segmented screen having multiple rigid blades. Each blade can be moved at a different velocity. By using multiple blades, the rotational inertia about a drive axis can be reduced compared to a conventional single screen shutter system, thus a greater acceleration can be achieved with the same amount of torque about the drive axis. Using smaller blades allows for greater acceleration, resulting in faster shutter speeds to support a wider range of applications. Additionally, the overlap between blades of a multi-segmented screen in an open position is greater than the overlap of the blades in a closed position, providing a compact system. A drive mechanism linearly translates the blades of the multi-segmented screen between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A process for forming electrical contacts for a semiconductor light emitting apparatus is disclosed. The light emitting apparatus has a first layer of first conductivity type, an active layer for generating light overlying the first layer, and a second layer of second conductivity type overlying the active layer.

Abstract: A concave tapered food product includes a cross section and a second end having a shape defined by a generally concave arc and a generally convex arc. The concave tapered food product has a first side and a second side shaped by a longitudinal cut along the foodstuff. A cutter assembly for cutting a foodstuff to form the concave tapered food product includes a housing member. The cutter assembly also includes a curvilinear blade including a cutting edge for cutting the foodstuff, the cutting edge defining an arc along a first portion of the curvilinear blade and a foot positioned at an end of the curvilinear blade for supporting the curvilinear blade. The foot is configured for being received and secured in the housing member. The housing member is configured for at least partially enclosing the curvilinear blade.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cutting apparatus, which includes an s-shaped blade, for cutting a foodstuff to form a concave, tapered wedge product. The cutting apparatus includes a cylindrical housing member, a ring member, which receives and holds the s-shaped blade, and a base member affixed to the cylindrical housing member. The cylindrical housing receives at least one ring member, typically several. The several ring members, each receiving and holding an s-shaped blade, are stacked together. One or more ring members in the stack can be rotated in order to adjust the angles between the blades. By adjusting the angles between the blades, the size and dimensions of the cut foodstuff can be modified. Typically, the apparatus will be used as part of a high speed processing line.

Abstract: An optical switch is presented. In a first state, a trench is filled with index matching fluid so that light from a first waveguide passes through the trench to a second waveguide. In a second state, a bubble is formed within the index matching fluid so that light from the first waveguide is reflected at the trench to a third waveguide. The bubble is formed by heat so that volume of the bubble is substantially less than total volume of the trench, resulting in pressure within the bubble not being substantially increased by pressure exerted by sidewalls of the trench.

Abstract: This invention includes a system for cutting food products, such as potatoes, into proportional length pieces. In a one embodiment, the system includes a cutting assembly, sensors upstream of the cutting assembly and a programmable logic controller. The cutting assembly preferably includes a housing defining a passageway, at least two separately actuatable stops extendable into the passageway to provide an abutment to hold the food product in place, and at least two separately actuatable blades for slicing the food product into pieces. The controller cooperates with the sensors to determine the length of each food product and, based on a length determinative algorithm, selectively actuate one of the stops and at least one of the blades to determine how many times the food product will be sliced and location of the cut(s) relative to the leading end of the food product.

Abstract: Timely e-commerce transactions may be recommended to a subscriber. The subscriber's interaction with a computer may be monitored. In response to the monitoring, data elements may be collected and maintained representing the subscriber's interaction with the computer. The collected and maintained data elements may be analyzed to identify a consumer need of the subscriber. Based on the consumer need, the invention may trigger an event that may determine an event solution to the consumer need and offer the event solution to the subscriber. Resulting e-commerce transactions may be executed. Rule sets may be maintained that comprise a set of conditions that when satisfied identify an associated consumer need of the subscriber. The step of identifying the consumer need may comprise comparing said data elements against the set of conditions for each rule set to determine if each rule set is satisfied.

Abstract: A light transmission system includes a laser, an optical fiber and a transfer lens. The fiber optic transfer for transfers light emitted by the laser into the optical fiber. The transfer lens includes a hyperbolic collimating surface for receiving and collimating light originating from the laser. The transfer lens also includes an output lens surface shaped so that light reflected from the end of the optical filter is not focused at a location at which the light is emitted by the laser. Additionally, in various preferred embodiments light launched into the optical fiber avoids index anomalies on the axis of the optical fiber and at the core-cladding interface.

Abstract: A scatterometer orbiting around the earth globe comprises a single fanbeam radar antenna which is rotated around a vertical axis, at a slow rotation rate. The antenna foot-print sweeps a circular disc. The slow conical sweep combined with the motion of the satellite on which the scatterometer is mounted results in highly overlapping successive sweeps such that an image pixel is revisited many times during an overpass. The pixels in the radial direction are resolved by range-gating the radar echo. The radar operates in the C-band. The scatterometer is intended, in particular, to determine wind speed and direction over the ocean.

Abstract: The invention has utility generally for monitoring any part for severance of the part. The invention is specifically useful for monitoring severance of a tension blade in a tension blade grid. For general monitoring of a part, the apparatus has wireless connection between the sensing unit and the control unit. The wireless connection is achieved with a transmit/receive unit using radiofrequency power transfer for electrical power and using infrared transmitters and receivers for signal transfer. For food processing, specifically for a vegetable cutting method employing at least one tension blade in a first tension blade grid through which vegetables are passed for cutting the vegetables wherein the at least one tension blade is severed during the cutting, the invention provides for diverting the vegetables to a second tension blade grid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the speed of a multi-phase, brushless DC electrically commutated motor (ECM). Voltage is commutated to the windings of the ECM based on rotor position information derived from back EMF or Hall effect sensors. The application of the commutating voltages is arranged such that the voltage applied to the windings always leads the back EMF generated in the windings by a selected constant lead angle. The speed of the motor is then controlled by pulse width modulating (PWM) the voltage applied to the windings of the ECM.

Abstract: Through the wall hot and ground type stud connectors are disclosed for use being positioned through truck and other heavy duty motor vehicle battery box side walls, engine firewalls, dashboards and the like. The stud connector includes a unitary conductive connector element with opposed first and second male connector ends and a radially enlarged central segment therebetween. In the hot type stud connector an overmold insulative member extends around part of the enlarged central segment and has a face that abuts a surface of a wall member and an annular flange that extends through a wall aperture to insulate the connector from the wall. An insulative nut member has a face for abutting an opposing surface of a wall member. A complementary cylindrical recess in the nut member slidingly receives the annular flange for fitting through various thicknesses of walls. The ground connector has a smaller overmold insulative member with a face for abutting one surface of a wall member.

Abstract: A method of providing a desired water level in a laundry machine by energising the motor of the machine intermittently to produce changes in velocity of the spin tub, agitator and a load of clothes in the spin tub.The changes in velocity are measured and from the measurements the mass of the load of clothes is determined. A desired volume of water necessary for an optimum wash of the load of clothes is then determined and this volume of water is admitted to the washing container of the laundry machine.

Abstract: A method, control device and appartaus for providing a desired water level in a laundry machine (1) by energizing the motor (10) of the machine intermittently to produce changes in velocity of the spin tub (3), agitator (4) and a load of clothes in the spin tub. The changes in velocity are measured and from the measurements the mass of the load of clothes is determined. A desired volume of water necessary for an optimum wash of the load of clothes is then determined and this volume of water is admitted (17) to the washing container (2) of the laundry machine.